Lionel Messi will not return to Paris Saint-Germain until early January, but Kylian Mbappe is set for an immediate return to Ligue 1 action against Strasbourg on Wednesday.
Head coach Christophe Galtier revealed Messi will miss the Strasbourg game, and Sunday's trip to Lens, after being given dispensation to stay in Argentina for an extended post-World Cup break.
Messi headed home after Argentina's Qatar 2022 triumph, to be feted for his leading role in the team's triumph after their dramatic win on penalties against France in the December 18 final.
Mbappe, who hit a hat-trick for France in that game but still finished as a runner-up, has returned to full training with the capital club and looks set to line up at the Parc des Princes against Strasbourg, with Brazil's Neymar and Marquinhos and Morocco's Achraf Hakimi also available after rejoining Galtier's group.
Galtier said: "There are individual cases with the players who went very far. Achraf Hakimi played in every game at the World Cup for Morocco. He was in the team of the World Cup.
"He wanted to get back as quickly as possible, as did Kylian Mbappe. He also turned in some brilliant performances and was the top goalscorer at the World Cup.
"After speaking to him and all my different teams who stayed in regular contact with the players, Kylian Mbappe wanted to join back up with us pretty quickly.
"There could be a time when Achraf Hakimi and Kylian Mbappe need to rest. Not necessarily physically, but definitely mentally.
"As for Leo Messi, who had a brilliant tournament, given they won the competition, he went back to Argentina for the celebrations. We made the decision to give him until January 1, so he will be back here with us on the second or third to get back into the swing of things after 13 or 14 days off."
Reports have claimed Messi, who scored seven goals and won the World Cup's Golden Ball prize, has agreed a contract extension with PSG, who will be hoping to get that deal completed soon after his return to France.
An ankle blow for Neymar during the World Cup is no longer troubling the former Barcelona forward, Galtier said.
He returned to France on December 22, and Galtier said: "He has been working outside as normal without any restrictions. Physically he is fine, and mentally he is looking forward to playing."
The PSG boss dismissed any suggestion of a possible problem emerging between Messi and Mbappe, after Argentina's post-final celebrations in the dressing room saw goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez mock the PSG and France striker.
Galtier suggested all the blame for that episode was with Martinez.
"What happened in the celebrations belongs to the Argentinians, and it is not down to me. What matters to me is what I saw in the final and on the sidelines I saw Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi embrace," Galtier said.
"There is a lot of respect between them. They have an exemplary attitude after the games. And of course, [Messi] needs to be congratulated for the trophies, and the Argentina coach as well.
"So I would focus on the relationship between them. It wasn't Leo Messi winding anybody else up. What I saw after the final, what I have experienced, is there is no reason to mix these things up because the goalkeeper's behaviour is down to him.
"What matters to me is the relationship between the players. Kylian Mbappe had a very good attitude, despite losing. Of course he was very disappointed, but he did that in a classy way. He congratulated Leo Messi and that is a very good thing for the club and for the team."
For the players who returned from the World Cup disheartened, Galtier says throwing themselves back into club duty has been a welcome escape.
"When they came back, our medical and coaching teams have spoken to the players to understand how they are feeling, because they are top-level footballers who enjoy playing and training to be able to play," Galtier said.
"There is no better remedy than to go back to your club where there is a very good atmosphere, a good feeling. Everyone is showing their commitment based on the training sessions I've been involved with."
Ronaldo hails 'incredible' Nadal as King of Clay announces retirement
Cristiano Ronaldo has hailed Rafael Nadal as an "incredible" inspiration to millions around the world after the King of Clay announced he will retire from tennis next month.
Having struggled with injuries throughout the last couple of years, 22-time grand slam champion Nadal confirmed 2024 will be his final year on the ATP Tour on Thursday.
Nadal will call time on his glittering career after November's Davis Cup finals in Malaga, where he will feature for a Spain team also containing four-time major champion Carlos Alcaraz.
Only Margaret Court, Novak Djokovic (24 each) and Serena Williams (23) have won more grand slam singles titles than Nadal in tennis history (22), with his 14 triumphs at the French Open a record for titles won at a single major.
He posted a video explaining his decision to bow out to his social media channels on Thursday, saying he had been playing with "limitations" for the last two years.
Five-time Ballon d'Or winner Ronaldo was among the first to react to the news, commenting on Nadal's Instagram post: "Rafa, what an incredible race you've had!
"Your dedication, passion and incredible talent have inspired millions around the world.
"It has been an honour to witness your journey and to be able to call you a friend. Congrats on an amazing career! Enjoy your retirement!"
Man Utd's Mazraoui sidelined after undergoing heart surgery
Manchester United full-back Noussair Mazraoui will be absent for several weeks after undergoing a minor heart procedure.
Mazraoui joined United from Bayern Munich in a deal worth an initial £12.8million (€15m) in August and has quickly established himself as the Red Devils' first-choice right-back.
He has started all seven of their Premier League games this season, with Erik ten Hag's men taking just eight points to record their worst-ever start to a campaign in the competition.
On Monday, he withdrew from Morocco's squad for two Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against the Central African Republic, having experienced heart palpitations.
Widespread reports on Thursday then said Mazraoui had successfully undergone a corrective procedure and would return within a few weeks.
Mazraoui was withdrawn at half-time in United's goalless draw with Aston Villa on Sunday, with Harry Maguire also replaced at the interval.
Leny Yoro, Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia are long-term absentees, meanwhile, leaving Ten Hag's men short in defence ahead of their return to action against Brentford on October 19.
Barbados, Belize win League C groups to earn promotion
Barbados and Belize sealed promotion as League C resumed in the 2024/25 Concacaf Nations League on Wednesday.
Saint Kitts and Nevis earned a victory to maintain its group lead to also improve to a 3-0-0 record. The victory assures the nation at least a spot in the Play-In round.
British Virgin Islands vs. Saint Kitts and Nevis
Saint Kitts and Nevis won 3-1 against the British Virgin Islands in Group C at Warner Park in Basseterre, Saint Kitts and Nevis.
Malique Roberts scored the opening goal in the 25' with a header in the box to connect on a free kick service.
Gvaune Amory increased the lead for the Sugar Boyz in the 37' with a right-footed hit inside the penalty area, connecting on a pass over the top by Raheem Hanley.
Kristian Javier Samuel cut the deficit for the British Virgin Islands in the 46' with a right-footed hit from the top of the box.
Ikyjah Williams accidentally hit the ball into his own net in the 90'+5, striking a deflection off a ball into the box from Romaine Sawyers for a third goal for Saint Kitts and Nevis.
The result seals a qualification to the Play-In round for Saint Kitts and Nevis. The Sugar Boyz can win the group without playing if the Cayman Islands fails to win against the British Virgin Islands on Saturday.
U.S. Virgin Islands vs. Barbados
Barbados won 5-nil against the U.S. Virgin Islands in Group A at the Wildey Astro Turf Stadium in Bridgetown, Barbados.
Hadan Holligan struck the opening goal in the 42' with a right-footed finish to place Barbados in the lead before the end of the first half.
Niall Reid-Stephen extended the lead for Barbados in the 45'+2 with a conversion from a penalty kick opportunity.
Reid-Stephen scored on the other side of halftime, with a left-footed shot from outside the box in the 47', securing a brace in consecutive matches.
The Barbados scorer struck with his left again, from a free kick chance in the 65', to earn his hat-trick.
Omani Leacock scored inside the penalty area in the 90'+2 to put a bow on the victory for the Tridents.
Kishmar Primus made four saves as he collected his second clean sheet of the campaign.
The victory clinched the top of the group, and a return to League B, for Barbados.
Anguilla vs. Belize
Belize won 1-nil against Anguilla in Group B at FFB Stadium in Belmopan, Belize.
Orlando Velasquez broke the deadlock in the 56' with a strike inside the box, connecting on a pass from Krisean López.
The Belize defense, led by goalkeeper and captain Charles Tillett, earned its third clean sheet and have yet to concede a goal in the tournament.
With the victory, Belize assured itself a first-place finish in the group and promotion to League B.
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